£100m plans for St John’s shopping centre set to be backed by council

Jun 4 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

An artist's impression of what the new-look St John's shopping centre could look like _320

PLANS for a £100m redevelopment of Liverpool’s St John’s shopping centre are set to be approved next week.

Liverpool council’s planning committee has been advised to agree to the overhaul of the 1960s centre.

Site owners Land Securities say the centre, which was built in 1969 and last refurbished 19 years ago, has begun to show its age.

The plan involves moving the existing indoor market into space currently occupied by JJB Sports in Williamson Square, which would be extended.

The food court would then be moved to the space presently occupied by the indoor market at the corner of Elliot Street and Houghton Street.

The proposal also includes dramatic improvements to the internal and external appearance of the centre and features new double-height retail malls, glazed retail fronts to all streets allowing natural light into the centre.

A modern food terrace will be created on the first floor of the St John’s centre, providing shoppers with views of the city as they relax.

The company is hoping to attract an anchor store that will have a large entrance in the same place.

Work is due to start in autumn.

The council has received 54 letters of objection from 44 stallholders concerned about potential damage to business.

Geraud Markets have managed the market since 2003 and told the council the limitations of the building is making it obsolete.